Catalytic device



G. P. SCHMITT CATALYTIG DEVICE Jan. 3, 1950 Original Filed Apri1y25, 1943 INVENToR. GEGRGE PHIL/P 5MM/TI HTTORNE Y.

Patented Jan. 3, 1950 CATALYTIC DEVICE George Philip Schmitt, New York, N. Y., as-

signor t Cardinal Products Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application April 23, 1943, Serial N0.

484,192. Divided and this application September 17, 1945, Serial No. 616,796

3 Claims.

This invention relates to catalytic devices of the lameless type wherein a catalyst is employed which becomes incandescent in coaction with a vaporizable fluid, in the presence of air; and is a division of my copending application Serial Number 484,192, filed April 23, 1943, now Patent 2,384,852, September 18, 1945.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an eicient, practical, economical, novel and simple catalytic unit for a heater or lighter of the catalytic type.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a catalytic unit having a plate with a plurality of holes, catalytic members being seated in said holes, and being provided with perforated elements above and below said plate.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof, all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a certain form of the invention have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all of the views, of which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a catalytic unit according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section of the said catalytic unit.

Reference will now be made more particularly to the drawing in which elbow 43 is part of a heater or lighter device as disclosed in my said Patent Number 2,384,852. Secured to elbow 43 is a nipple 50 which threadedly engages the hollow stem l of base 52. Stem 5| of base 52 has a perforation 53 providing communication between nipple 59 and the chamber 54 within base 52. Base 52 is cup-shaped having the annular portion 55 extending upwardly from the conically-shaped bottom 56 from the latter of which downwardly projects the stem 5I. Seated within hollow base 52 and against annular portion 55 is a plate 51 having a plurality of peripheral notches 58. Resting on top of annular ange 55 0f base 52, is the catalyst unit 59 which is held in place by a retainer member 60. Retainer member 69 threadedly engages base 52 as indicated at Bl and has an upper flanged portion 62 which overlies the catalyst unit 59. The space 63 between catalyst unit 59 and plate 51 provides a 55 chamber for the fuel vapor from whence it contacts the catalytic elements within the catalyst unit 59.

The catalyst unit 59 comprises a plate 65 -having a plurality of holes 66 within which are received catalytic elements B1. These holes are shown as round, but they may be of any other desirable shape, such as, rectangular, elliptical, triangular, etc. Each of the elements 61 is shown as being in the form of a pellet, block or disk which may be composed of a suitably spongy platinum composition or the like. Catalysts 61 may be provided with a plurality of perforations 68. Any number of catalytic elements 61 may be employed and they may be of any suitable size. It is possible to use a single catalyst of appropriate size, but it has been found expedient and practical to use a number of relatively small pellets. Plate may be made of metal, asbestos composition, or any other suitable material.

Immediately below plate 65 there is disposed a wire screen 69, preferably of approximately seventy to one hundred mesh and under this screen 69 is a coarser Wire screen 19 of approximately eight mesh. These screens are preferably made of an alloy of nickel and copper or nickel and chromium, which may be of the types known generally in the trade as Monel metal and Nichrome Immediately above plate 65 there is disposed a wire screen ll preferably of approximately seventy to one hundred mesh and over screen il there is disposed another but coarser screen 12 of approximately eight mesh. Screens 1I, 12 are preferably made of a nickelchromium alloy, which may be oi the type known generally in the trade as Nichrome The coarse screens I0 and 12 act as protective members for the finer screens 59, 'l I and also prevent buckling thereof.

Plate 65 with its catalyst pills 6l and screens 69, 79, ll, 12, are all maintained in assembled positions by a channelled retainer ring 13, the Whole comprising the unit illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The catalytic device or units hereinabove described may be employed as part of a heater or lighter apparatus for ignition, heating or cooling purposes. It is particularly useful in `motor vehicles including air planes, where it may be placed in the motor compartment while the motor is not running for keeping the motor and compartment warm and preventing the oil from thickening or freezing, in cold weather. This device may be arranged so that the burner unit only is placed in the motor compartment, and put in operation immediately after the motor is shut oiI to maintain the motor and motor housing warm.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, ist n 1. A catalytic memberscomprisi-iigatholder alv plate within said holder and having a plurality of holes, and catalytic members Within said holes'j said holder having an inlet communicating with l0 said catalytic members.

2. A catalytic unit comprisinghol'der; yaf-plate-YV within said holder and havingla:pluralityofholes,;. catalytic members Within said holes, and/perfo#- rated elements within said holderaboveand below said plate.

3. A catalytic unit comprising a holder, a plate within said holder, passages in said plate, a second plate within said holder and spaced"above'- 4 said rst mentioned plate, said second plate having a plurality of holes, catalytic elements within said holes, and perforated members within said holder above and below said second plate.

GEORGE PHILIP SCHMITT.

EFRENS CI'TED The following references are of record in the iile'Iof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Nurrfb'er-4 Name Date 793,446- Kellerman June 27, 1905 Y15. 1.2925199Y Lumiere-et a1. oct. 24, 191s 1,347,631- Herck' July 27, 1920 1,792-337" Wallin Feb. 10, 1931 2,005,478A Schmitt June 18, 1935 2,3843'852' Schmitt Sept. 18, 1945 

